Can Surface Laptop 3 power dual 4K external displays?
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Can Surface Laptop 3 power dual 4K external displays?
Two 4K monitors with a single port
TheSurface Laptop 3is a thin and light laptop that builds off the already impressive Surface Laptop line. There are now two versions of the Surface Laptop 3, a 13-inch version and a larger 15-inch version. Both sizes of the Surface Laptop 3 have a USB-C 3.1 Gen 2 port. This port allows a laptop to connect to two 4K monitors at once at 60Hz.
AMicrosoft Mechanics videoshows off how the new line of Surface devices can power two 4K displays at once with a 60Hz refresh rate. Being able to do this with just a single port leaves other ports open, such as the Surface Connect port and USB-A port that are available on all sizes of the Surface Laptop 3.
Unfortunately, getting the Surface Laptop 3 to power two 4K displays at once at 60Hz is not usually as simple as plugging in a USB-C port into your laptop and monitor. As outlined in a post byDan S. Charlton, connecting two 4K monitors and hitting 60Hz via USB-C requires additional or specialized hardware. This is due to the Surface Laptop 3’s support of DisplayPort 1.4. There are a few options to power two 4K monitors at once.
An easy solution is to purchase an adapter. You can buyCable Matters USB C to DisplayPort Adapter with 8K HDR DisplayPort 1.4. There aren’t many adapters that have the required specs to power dual 4K displays at 60Hz, but this one fits the bill.
Another option is to get a USB-C adapter that natively supports DP 1.4 and Multi-Stream Transport (MST). Cable Matters makes theCable Matters USB C to DisplayPort Adapter with 8K HDR DisplayPort 1.4which meets the required specs. It also has two DisplayPorts and one HDMI port.
The final option is to purchase a monitor that can handle this level of daisy-chaining. These aren’t especially common, but theBenQ’s 27-inch PD2700Ucan handle it. It has impressive color reproduction for professional design work. To use this monitor with the Surface Laptop 3, you’ll need to grab an adapter like the Cable Matters USB C to DisplayPort Adapter with 8K HDR DisplayPort 1.4 mentioned above.
Get yours while it’s hot
The Surface Laptop 3, available in both 13.5-inch and 15-inch configurations, is sure to please anyone looking for a premium Ultrabook.
Professional-grade 4K display
BenQ’s PD2700U supports daisy-chaining, allowing you to connect your Pro 7 to a couple of displays with just a small adapter.
Easy to connect
This adapter supports DisplayPort 1.4 and works with up to 8K HDR (7680x4320). It’s also backward compatible with 4K and 1080p monitors.
The latest specs
This hub supports 1.4 high-speed HBR3 with a data rate of 32.4 Gbps. It can also charge your laptop at up to 100W.
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Sean Endicott is a tech journalist at Windows Central, specializing in Windows, Microsoft software, AI, and PCs. He’s covered major launches, from Windows 10 and 11 to the rise of AI tools like ChatGPT. Sean’s journey began with the Lumia 740, leading to strong ties with app developers. Outside writing, he coaches American football, utilizing Microsoft services to manage his team. He studied broadcast journalism at Nottingham Trent University and is active on X @SeanEndicott_ and Threads @sean_endicott_.
